Gas explosion in Eastchester ruled a homicide; homeless man faces slew of charges
Samuel Calderon, 55, is accused of sparking a gas explosion that killed Ronald McCallister, 60, a resident of the 3475 Bivona Ave.
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Police say a gas explosion in Eastchester has been ruled a homicide, and a homeless man is facing a slew of charges.
Samuel Calderon, 55, is accused of sparking a gas explosion that killed Ronald McCallister, 60, a resident of 3475 Bivona Ave.
The gas explosion sparked a four-alarm fire just after midnight on Saturday.
Sources tell News 12 Calderon stole a stove, planning to sell it for drug money. He dismantled the stove, wheeled it down a hallway and blocked its gas pipe with a blanket. Gas quickly spread, leading to the explosion.
Calderon violated an order of protection held by his ex-girlfriend, a former resident, by entering the building, resulting in a contempt charge. Sources say his ex-girlfriend was staying at a violence shelter at the time of the inferno.
In the criminal complaint, Calderon admitted to violating the order of protection and to the crime. He said, "I went there to steal her stove and sell it for a gram of crack. I smelled the gas and heard the hissing sound of gas so I taped a blanket around the hole and left."
Firefighters also discovered a 37-year-old man unconscious and unresponsive at the scene. EMS took him to the hospital where he is fighting for his life.
The FDNY says an additional 13 people were hurt in the blaze, including a firefighter.
Officers walked Calderon out of the 47th Precinct Wednesday evening, and he appeared bewildered. When questioned about the deadly event, he responded, “God bless y’all.”
Calderon also faces murder, manslaughter, assault, burglary, petit larceny and harassment charges. He appeared in front of a judge on Thursday. His case was adjourned until Feb. 3. He will remain in custody until then.
The Eastchester building now has a vacate order posted, and it is unclear when residents will be allowed to move back in. The Department of Buildings says some of the walls collapsed on the exterior of the building. Once those are repaired, the DOB will reassess the vacate order and possibly start letting people who live on the lower floors back inside.
The Red Cross says it has registered 119 households and 354 individuals, including 106 children, for emergency assistance.
News 12's Natalie Hernandez Wednesday night report on Eastchester gas explosion arrest
